Friday, June 06, 2014

Books Into Television: OUTLANDER

After waiting for YEARS and YEARS, fans of the OUTLANDER series will finally be able to view a theatrical production of the beloved books on television. For many years, everyone thought it would be made into a movie but I think television offers so many more possibilities. Especially on STARZ. I am intrigued that they chose to go with relative unknowns in the cast. The casting looks pretty good except for the casting of Dougal and Colum which is ALL WRONG!!! In the first book, Dougal is 45 years old! The actors they cast are much too old. And although I like Tobia Menzies as an actor, I just don't buy him as a cruel sadistic psychopath. I still see him as Brutus from "Rome."

No one asked me to cast OUTLANDER. If they did, I would choose the following dream cast:

Claire Randall Fraser (Emily Blunt)
Claire needs to be smart as well as beautiful. And tough. I used to think Kate Winslet would be brilliant in the role as well.

Jamie Fraser (Tom Hopper)
Jaime needs to be not only good-looking but he needs to be physically large. He also needs a sweetness and vulnerability that I think Hopper could bring. Especially after seeing him in "Black Sails."

Jonathan Randall (Jason Isaacs, Kevin McKidd or James Purefoy)

When I read the books, I always visualized Randall as looking like Jason Isaacs. Isaacs might be too old for the role now. But I think McKidd and Purefoy could have brought something special (and menacing) to the role.

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Welcome to Life by Candlelight. This is the home of the "BOTTOM LINE" book review! I've been blogging since 2003 and have worked in public and privates libraries since 2000. Find tidbits about my life, book reviews and other things currently whirling around in my brain. Unless otherwise stated, all books are either library or personal copies. I specialize in contemporary literary fiction with the occasional children's book review.

For review purposes, Children refers to books appropriate for ages 7 and under, Young Reader refers to books appropriate for ages 8-12 and Young Adult refers to books for ages 13 and up.